15 Car Rentals With After-Hours Drop-Off and/or Pick-Up

Rental cars parked in a dark parking garage after-hours

Most car rental companies don’t offer after-hours pick-up. Some airport locations allow pick-ups 24/7, but car-sharing services like Zipcar and Turo tend to offer more flexible pick-ups since there are no general hours of operation or time restrictions.

After-hours drop-off, on the other hand, is available at some or all locations of each major U.S. car rental company. Where available, most agencies require advance notice and ask you to leave the keys in a drop box.

Below, we detail the after-hours services each rental agency offers, plus the procedures to follow when picking up or dropping off your rental.

What We Recommend

Zipcar is the best option for after-hours pick-up and drop-off because it doesn’t have a traditional check-in counter.

You’ll lock and unlock the vehicle with your Zipcard or the Zipcar app, and you can book a rental for any time of night or day.[1][2][3]

You can change your reservation time and pay the difference through the app, as long as the vehicle is available.[1]

Note that Zipcar does require a paid membership, which costs $9 per month or $90 per year.[4]

If you’d like to avoid Zipcar’s membership fees, Turo is also a flexible option. Each individual car owner sets their own pick-up and drop-off guidelines.[5]

If you need to change the pick-up or drop-off time after making a Turo reservation, you can send a request to the owner through Turo.[6]

Comparison Table

Use the table below for a quick overview of which rental companies allow after-hours pick-up and drop-off.

You can sort the information by tapping the arrows at the top of each column. Select a company name to find more details in our list below.

Rental Company Allows After-Hours Pick-Up? Allows After-Hours Drop-Off?
ACE Rent a CarNo Yes, at some locations
Alamo Rent a CarNo Yes
Avis Rent a CarOnly at some airport locations Yes, at some locations
Budget Rent a CarNo, but some airport locations are open 24/7 Yes, at some locations
Dollar Car RentalNo Yes, at some locations
Enterprise Rent-A-CarNo, but many airport locations are open 24/7 Yes, at some locations
Fox Rent A CarNo Yes, at some locations
GetaroundYes Yes
HertzNo Yes, at some locations
National Car RentalNo, but most airport locations are open 24/7 Yes, at some locations
Payless Car RentalYes, at some locations Yes, at most locations
SIXTNo Yes, at some locations
Thrifty Car RentalNo Yes, at some locations
TuroYes Yes
ZipcarYes Yes
Table Plugin

The List

Below, we list after-hours policies for each major car rental company.

The list is in order of the overall best options based on the availability of after-hours services and the ease of the pick-up/drop-off process.

We confirmed this information by contacting company representatives and viewing online policy documentation.

Keep in mind that late drop-off (after the end of your original reservation) will usually result in additional hourly or daily charges. Traditional rental agencies won’t check in after-hours returns until the next business day.[7][8][9][10]

Zipcar logo

Zipcar

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? Yes; vehicles are available 24/7.[1]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes; drop-off is available 24/7.[1]
  • After-hours procedures:
    • Pick-up instructions are available in the “Drive” tab when booking;[1] you can unlock a rental with your Zipcard or from the Zipcar app, and you’ll find the keys in the glove box.[2]
    • Drop off the vehicle in its original pick-up location cleaned and with at least 1/4 tank of gas. Remove the keys from the ignition, but leave them inside the vehicle and lock it with your Zipcard or in the Zipcar app.[3][11]
  • Find a rental

Turo logo

Turo

  • After-hours pick-up available? Yes, at the vehicle owner’s discretion.[12]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at the vehicle owner’s discretion.[12]
  • After-hours procedures: Since vehicle owners set their own pick-up and drop-off procedures, you’ll find details in the individual rental listing. You can also contact the host for instructions.[5][13]
  • Find a rental

Getaround logo

Getaround

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? Rentals are generally available 24/7; however, some may have time restrictions due to a parking garage or operational hours. Details are available in pick-up instructions.[14]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? As with pick-up, rentals are generally available 24/7, but there may be restrictions due to where the car is parked or other factors.[14]
  • After-hours procedures:
    • At pick-up, you can check in and unlock the car in the Getaround app; you’ll find the keys inside the vehicle.[15][16]
    • At drop-off, turn off the ignition and return the keys to the lockbox, if available. Lock the vehicle and end the trip in the app.[17][18]
  • Find a rental

Payless Car Rental logo

Payless Car Rental

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? Yes, at some locations; some airport locations are open 24/7.[19][20]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at most locations.[21][19]
  • After-hours procedures: After-hours procedures vary by location; call ahead for instructions.[19][21]
  • Find a rental

National Car Rental logo

National Car Rental

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No;[22] however, most airport locations are open 24/7 for pick-up.[23]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[22][24]
  • After-hours procedures: Procedures vary by location; some locations allow you to leave the keys in a drop box.[22][24]
  • Find a rental

Enterprise logo

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No;[25] however, many airport locations are open 24/7 for pick up.[8]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[8][26]
  • After-hours procedures: Check with the location at pick-up to see if after-hours drop-off is available; if it is, leave your keys in the after-hours drop box at the time of return.[8][26]
  • Find a rental

Avis Rent a Car

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? Only at some airport locations[27]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[27][28]
  • After-hours procedures:
    • You must request after-hours pick-up in advance; instructions for scheduling are given at the time of reservation.[27]
    • You must also request after-hours drop-off in advance. Procedures vary by location, but you’ll generally park the rental in a designated, secure area and leave the keys in the drop box.[27][29]
  • Find a rental

Budget logo

Budget

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No;[30] however, some airport locations are open 24/7[31] and others will stay open late for confirmed reservations associated with a delayed flight.[32]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[32][31]
  • After-hours procedures:
    • For pick-up at an airport location, call ahead with reservation and delayed flight information.[32]
    • For drop-off, call ahead to make arrangements and leave the keys in the drop box.[33][34]
  • Find a rental

Alamo Rent a Car

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No[10]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes[7][10]
  • After-hours procedures: Varies by location; generally, you’ll drop the keys in a designated drop box.[10][35][36]
  • Find a rental

Dollar Car Rental logo

Dollar Car Rental

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No[37][38]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[37][38]
  • After-hours procedures: Leave the keys and rental agreement in the drop box.[37][38]
  • Find a rental

Fox Rent A Car Logo

Fox Rent A Car

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No[39]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[39][40]
  • After-hours procedures: Leave the keys in the drop box.[39]
  • Find a rental

Hertz logo

Hertz

  • Allows after-hours pick-up?No[41]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[42][41]
  • After-hours procedures: If Express Return service is available, complete the Express Return slip, which is included with the rental agreement. Either leave it on the dashboard with the keys or drop the form and keys in the Express Return box.[42][41]
  • Find a rental

SIXT logo

SIXT

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No[9]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[43][9]
  • After-hours procedures: Leave the keys in the drop box.[43][9]
  • Find a rental

Thrifty Car Rental logo

Thrifty Car Rental

  • Allows after-hours pick-up? No[44][45]
  • Allows after-hours drop-off? Yes, at some locations.[44][45]
  • After-hours procedures: Leave the keys and rental agreement in the drop box to the right of the checkout counter.[44][45]
  • Find a rental

ACE Rent a Car

  1. Zipcar customer service via Facebook chat[][][][][]
  2. https://www.zipcar.com/en-gb/blog/how-it-works/finding-unlocking-zipcar[][]
  3. https://www.zipcar.com/apply/rules-of-vehicle-use[][]
  4. https://www.zipcar.com/pricing[]
  5. https://help.turo.com/en_us/getting-started-guide-or-guests-Ska1EVeE5[][]
  6. https://help.turo.com/extending-or-shortening-your-trip-BypBE4eVc[]
  7. https://www.alamo.com/en/customer-support/car-rental-faqs/grace-period-rental-return.html[][]
  8. https://www.enterprise.com/en/help/faqs/location-closed.html[][][][]
  9. SIXT customer service via Facebook chat[][][][]
  10. Alamo Rent a Car customer service (888) 233-8749[][][][]
  11. https://support.zipcar.com/hc/en-us/articles/220623087-How-do-I-end-my-Zipcar-trip-[]
  12. https://turo.com/us/en/policies/terms#specific-terms-for-hosts[][]
  13. https://help.turo.com/choosing-delivery-for-your-trip-SJRZ4Eg45[]
  14. Getaround customer service via Facebook chat[][]
  15. https://help.getaround.com/hc/en-us/articles/204371384-Unlocking-a-Car[]
  16. https://help.getaround.com/hc/en-us/articles/205662864-Finding-and-replacing-the-car-key[]
  17. https://help.getaround.com/hc/en-us/articles/205662774-Returning-a-Car[]
  18. https://help.getaround.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005480848-Using-a-Lockbox[]
  19. Payless Car Rental customer service (800) 729-5377[][][]
  20. https://www.paylesscar.com/en/locations/us[]
  21. https://www.paylesscar.com/en/customer-service/faq/global/reservations[][]
  22. National Car Rental customer service (844) 393-9989[][][]
  23. https://www.nationalcar.com/en/car-rental/locations/us/airports.html[]
  24. https://www.nationalcar.com/en/car-rental/locations/us/ok/oklahoma-city-will-rogers-airport-51n1.html[][]
  25. Enterprise Rent-A-Car customer service via live chat[]
  26. https://www.enterprise.com/en/help/faqs/early-return.html[][]
  27. Avis Rent a Car customer service (800) 352-7900[][][][]
  28. https://www.avis.com/en/help/usa-faqs/rental-car-return[]
  29. Avis Rent a Car customer service via Facebook chat[]
  30. Budget Rent a Car customer service (800) 214-6094[]
  31. https://www.budget.com/en/locations/us/co/denver/den[][]
  32. https://www.budget.com/en/customer-care/faqs/global/locations[][][]
  33. https://www.budget.com/en/customer-care/faqs/global/cars[]
  34. https://www.budget.com/en/help/usa-faqs/rental-car-return[]
  35. https://www.alamo.com/en/car-rental-locations/us/ok/oklahoma-city-will-rogers-airport-51a1.html[]
  36. https://www.alamo.com/en/car-rental-locations/us/ny/new-york-jfk-international-airport-24z2.html[]
  37. Dollar Car Rental customer service via Facebook chat[][][]
  38. Dollar Car Rental customer service (800) 800-5252[][][]
  39. Fox Rent A Car customer service via live chat[][][]
  40. https://www.foxrentacar.com/en/faqs.html[]
  41. Hertz customer service via Facebook chat[][][]
  42. https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/productservice/index.jsp?targetPage=eReturn.jsp[][]
  43. https://www.sixt.com/car-rental/usa/san-francisco/san-francisco-airport/#/[][]
  44. Thrifty Car Rental customer service via Facebook chat[][][]
  45. Thrifty Car Rental customer service (800) 847-4389[][][]
  46. ACE Rent a Car customer service via live chat[]
  47. ACE Rent a Car (877) 822-3872[][][]
  48. ACE Rent a Car customer service via live chat[][]
  49. https://www.acerentacar.com/Locations/Terms/LAXO02[][]

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